Young Australian arrested in Indonesia after ‘drunken, violent rampage’ left locals enraged
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Holidays are meant for relaxation, fun, and creating some fond memories to cherish. However, a 23-year-old from Noosa, Queensland, seems to have taken the ‘fun’ aspect of the holidays to an entirely dangerous level.
While on holiday in one of Indonesia’s most conservative islands, Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones allegedly went on a naked rampage, hitting locals who tried to stop him and injuring one of them, which led to his eventual arrest.
The man could face flogging if found guilty of his crimes.
Risby-Jones, who works as a carpenter in Noosa, claimed he had a sunstroke the day before his rampage. According to him, he felt ‘almost possessed’ during the alleged incident, which happened early Thursday morning on Simeulue Island, located within the very conservative province of Aceh off the coast of Sumatra.
Risby-Jones also shared with reporters that he was on a surfing holiday and had ‘one shot of vodka’ prior to the incident.
‘I feel like not myself like almost possessed,’ he said in an interview.
‘It was not a good feeling. I wasn’t myself. Normally I am a very nice guy,’ he continued before adding that he would ‘never want to hurt people’ and that the alleged incident was ‘very out of character’.
Risby-Jones also said that he didn’t really remember what happened, including being hit and kicked in the head, nabbed and bashed by local villagers. It was reported that this happened when he allegedly tried to steal one of the local’s motorbikes while naked.
Based on the details of the case, including testimonies from witnesses and police reports, Risby-Jones was allegedly drinking from a bottle of vodka before he emerged from his dwelling in the Moon Beach Resort without any clothes and proceeded to chase and strike people on the main village road.
Shortly after midnight, Risby-Jones attacked a fisherman from the village of Lantik, causing him to suffer an injury to the foot that required 50 stitches on his heel and a broken bone. Local Police Senior Commissioner Jamitko alleged that the man also hit a security guard before leaving the resort.
According to the police, Risby-Jones was ‘enraged’ and ‘caused a scene’.
‘He hit a security guard and walked out of the resort and ran amok with every motorbike rider he encountered.’
It was concluded that the fisherman’s injuries were a result of Risby-Jones hitting him as he passed by on his motorbike and throwing the vehicle onto the fisherman after he fell in a nearby gutter.
Enraged by the tourist’s behaviour, the locals formed a mob and tried to set the resort itself on fire.
‘Knowing it, the people got angry and almost put the resort on fire. Luckily, local police and the village head managed to calm down the mob,’ Senior Commissioner Jamitko said.
The man’s family released a statement on his behalf, claiming that Risby-Jones is now ‘fully aware of his behaviour’ and is disturbed by his actions which he takes ‘full responsibility’ for.
His father told reporters that his son was ‘deeply ashamed of the trauma and ongoing distress he has inflicted upon his family’. He also said his son was acknowledging the waste of resources his actions caused for local police and apologised to the Australian people for ‘embarrassing them’.
Simeulue Police Chief Detective Mayyuhdi said that Risby-Jones faces either two-and-a-half years in prison if the injuries he caused are minor or up to five years in prison if the victim’s injuries are more serious.
Risby-Jones also faces prosecution under Sharia Law, which is a religious law that is deeply ingrained in Islamic tradition. Under this law, drinking alcohol and other so-called morality offences such as premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality are illegal for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Aceh itself is one of Indonesia’s most conservative provinces where the sale and consumption of alcohol are banned. If found guilty, he will be flogged 40 times.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the Australian Embassy in Jakarta is working to provide consular assistance.
Indonesian police said Risby-Jones would be detained for up to 20 days while investigations take place.
John McLeod, a Crisis Management Consultant, has previously worked with high-profile Australians who found themselves in similar situations in Indonesia.
Mr McLeod said that the man’s alleged behaviour would be taken as an ‘act of incredible disrespect’.
‘If what we're hearing is true, it's total disrespect for local customs and culture, and to their religious faith,’ he said before adding that the concept of ‘restorative justice’ was highly valued in Indonesia.
‘You pay compensation for the pain and suffering and damage that you've caused to the individuals and throw yourself at the mercy of the local governor for forgiveness for your behaviour. You want to be showing total and utter remorse,’ he said.
Three non-Muslim Indonesian men were given 40 strikes in Banda Aceh in 2021 for drinking alcohol in public.
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While on holiday in one of Indonesia’s most conservative islands, Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones allegedly went on a naked rampage, hitting locals who tried to stop him and injuring one of them, which led to his eventual arrest.
The man could face flogging if found guilty of his crimes.
Risby-Jones, who works as a carpenter in Noosa, claimed he had a sunstroke the day before his rampage. According to him, he felt ‘almost possessed’ during the alleged incident, which happened early Thursday morning on Simeulue Island, located within the very conservative province of Aceh off the coast of Sumatra.
Risby-Jones also shared with reporters that he was on a surfing holiday and had ‘one shot of vodka’ prior to the incident.
‘I feel like not myself like almost possessed,’ he said in an interview.
‘It was not a good feeling. I wasn’t myself. Normally I am a very nice guy,’ he continued before adding that he would ‘never want to hurt people’ and that the alleged incident was ‘very out of character’.
Risby-Jones also said that he didn’t really remember what happened, including being hit and kicked in the head, nabbed and bashed by local villagers. It was reported that this happened when he allegedly tried to steal one of the local’s motorbikes while naked.
Based on the details of the case, including testimonies from witnesses and police reports, Risby-Jones was allegedly drinking from a bottle of vodka before he emerged from his dwelling in the Moon Beach Resort without any clothes and proceeded to chase and strike people on the main village road.
Shortly after midnight, Risby-Jones attacked a fisherman from the village of Lantik, causing him to suffer an injury to the foot that required 50 stitches on his heel and a broken bone. Local Police Senior Commissioner Jamitko alleged that the man also hit a security guard before leaving the resort.
According to the police, Risby-Jones was ‘enraged’ and ‘caused a scene’.
‘He hit a security guard and walked out of the resort and ran amok with every motorbike rider he encountered.’
It was concluded that the fisherman’s injuries were a result of Risby-Jones hitting him as he passed by on his motorbike and throwing the vehicle onto the fisherman after he fell in a nearby gutter.
Enraged by the tourist’s behaviour, the locals formed a mob and tried to set the resort itself on fire.
‘Knowing it, the people got angry and almost put the resort on fire. Luckily, local police and the village head managed to calm down the mob,’ Senior Commissioner Jamitko said.
The man’s family released a statement on his behalf, claiming that Risby-Jones is now ‘fully aware of his behaviour’ and is disturbed by his actions which he takes ‘full responsibility’ for.
His father told reporters that his son was ‘deeply ashamed of the trauma and ongoing distress he has inflicted upon his family’. He also said his son was acknowledging the waste of resources his actions caused for local police and apologised to the Australian people for ‘embarrassing them’.
Simeulue Police Chief Detective Mayyuhdi said that Risby-Jones faces either two-and-a-half years in prison if the injuries he caused are minor or up to five years in prison if the victim’s injuries are more serious.
Risby-Jones also faces prosecution under Sharia Law, which is a religious law that is deeply ingrained in Islamic tradition. Under this law, drinking alcohol and other so-called morality offences such as premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality are illegal for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Aceh itself is one of Indonesia’s most conservative provinces where the sale and consumption of alcohol are banned. If found guilty, he will be flogged 40 times.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the Australian Embassy in Jakarta is working to provide consular assistance.
Indonesian police said Risby-Jones would be detained for up to 20 days while investigations take place.
John McLeod, a Crisis Management Consultant, has previously worked with high-profile Australians who found themselves in similar situations in Indonesia.
Mr McLeod said that the man’s alleged behaviour would be taken as an ‘act of incredible disrespect’.
‘If what we're hearing is true, it's total disrespect for local customs and culture, and to their religious faith,’ he said before adding that the concept of ‘restorative justice’ was highly valued in Indonesia.
‘You pay compensation for the pain and suffering and damage that you've caused to the individuals and throw yourself at the mercy of the local governor for forgiveness for your behaviour. You want to be showing total and utter remorse,’ he said.
Three non-Muslim Indonesian men were given 40 strikes in Banda Aceh in 2021 for drinking alcohol in public.
Key Takeaways
- A young Queensland man, Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, claims he felt 'almost possessed' during an alleged naked, alcohol-fuelled rampage in Indonesia.
- The man is now facing the terrifying prospect of spending time in an Indonesian jail and could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted of maltreatment resulting in serious physical injury.
- He could also face charges under Islamic law, as the consumption and sale of alcohol are banned in Aceh, which could lead to public floggings.
- The rampage incited anger among locals, who allegedly threatened to burn down a hotel in response.